The 8 Best Closet Organizers of 2021

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If it seems like there's never enough space in your closet or you’re always on the hunt for your favorite sweater or jacket, it’s time to make some changes. Whether you have a walk-in or reach-in closet, items like a closet kit, space-saving hangers, over-the-door closet organizers, and storage bins can make a big difference in your space. When your clothes, shoes, and accessories are well-organized, you’ll feel better prepared to start your day without facing the stress of clutter.

But before you set out on your shopping trip, you'll want to make sure to first assess your organizational needs.

"The biggest mistake that people make is to buy a system or organization materials without thinking through the specifics of what they actually need," says Ellen Karas, Co-Founder of Creative Organization Solutions. "Always be sure to do a brutal purge of your belongings before deciding on the inventory to be stored. Once you map out everything you have and where it will go, you can then choose the system that works the best."

Whatever your needs are, here are the best closet organizers to maximize your storage space and conquer closet chaos once and for all.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Rubbermaid Configurations Closet Kits at Amazon

You can easily adjust the location of shelves or add on items from Rubbermaid's collection later, as your wardrobe needs change.

Read Review

Best Hangers:

Huggable Hangers 40-pack of Shirt & Suit Hangers at The Container Store

These slim, velvet hangers save space and ensure that garments stay neatly in place, so you can fit more in your closet.

Read Review

Best Hanging Shelves:

StorageWorks 6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizers at Amazon

You can use the shelves together or separately, depending on how your closet is currently being organized.

Read Review

Best Closet Kit:

Dotted Line Grid 48"W-96"W Closet System Starter Kit at Wayfair

The 1,200-pound weight capacity means the kit can hold a large wardrobe, with enough room for everything to have an intended place.

Read Review

Best Storage Boxes:

Sorbus Storage Bins Boxes at Amazon

You can see into these boxes through the clear, zippered window in the front and grab what you need without unstacking anything.

Read Review

Best Vacuum-Sealed Bags:

Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Storage Bags at Walmart

Each jumbo-sized vacuum bag can hold four pillows, a queen-size bedding set, or more than a dozen sweaters.

Read Review

Best Door Organizer:

Umbra Enfold Over the Door Organizer at The Container Store

More than just a series of shoe-sized pouches, this over-the-door organizer has a section big enough to use as a laundry hamper.

Read Review

Best Shoe Organizer:

Seville Classics 3-Tier Stackable Shoe Rack at Amazon

If you have a growing shoe collection, you can place the racks side-by-side or stack them vertically, using the included pegs.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Why Trust The Spruce

Rubbermaid Configurations Closet Kits, 3-6 ft., Titanium

4.7

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart

Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Custom Closet Kit Review

Dimensions: 47.56 x 13.06 x 2.63-inches | Overall Weight: 26.7 pounds | System Type: Shelving kit | Primary Material: Iron

What We Like

Easy to install shelving and clothing rods
Expands and adjusts to fit the space available
Customizable configurations

What We Don't Like

Only one set of short clothing rods

For a single step towards major closet organization, check out the popular and customizable Rubbermaid Configurations Closet Kit. Described as clever and well-engineered, this version is perfect for either walk-in or reach-in closets and is available in various sizes to meet your space requirements and wardrobe needs. The standard version of this closet kit includes shelves and hanging rods that add 12 feet of shelving space and 10 feet of hanging space to any closet.

One of the best things about this closet organizer is the fact that it’s easy to add more shelves, baskets, shoe storage, and more with add-ons from Rubbermaid’s collection. In addition, the rails and brackets make for easy installation without any additional cutting of metal parts and pieces, and you can easily adjust the location of shelves in the future as your add or get rid of certain kinds of wardrobe pieces.

What Testers Say

"Due to the endless options for customization, the favorable price, and the fact that you can expand on what you already have by buying additional kits, we’d say Rubbermaid comes out on top."—Stacey L. Nash, Product Tester

Huggable Hangers 40-pack of Shirt & Suit Hangers

View On The Container Store

Dimensions: 17 x 1/4 x 9-inches | Overall Weight: Not listed | System Type: Shelving kit | Primary Material: ABS plastic

What We Like

Slim and space-saving design
Velvety finish prevents clothes from slipping
12 different color options

What We Don't Like

Not good for heavy clothing items

The right hangers can make a big difference in keeping your closet tidy. Thick, bulky hangers diminish hanging space and crowd your closet, while hangers that are too slippery lead to a wrinkled heap of clothes on the floor. "Regardless of which system you choose, space-saving hangers do work," says Karas. "Using a ton of different hangers will take up unnecessary space." She recommends the famous Huggable Hangers, which solve both of these dilemmas with a slim, space-saving design and a velvety, flocked finish that keeps shirts, dresses, jackets, and more neatly in place.

There are a dozen different color options for the hangers themselves, so you can choose the hue that you like best or use multiple color sets to organize clothes by season, occasion, or clothing type.

The 8 Best Clothes Hangers of 2021

StorageWorks 6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizers

View On Amazon

Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 42-inches | Overall Weight: Not listed | System Type: Hanging organizer | Primary Material: Polyester

What We Like

Can use shelves together or separately
Side pockets for extra storage
Two ways to hang with rods or loop fastener

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Add more shelving in your closet for folded clothes, purses, shoes, or other accessories with a set of hanging shelves. This type of closet organizer uses the vertical space of your closet to provide additional storage compartments. These two sets of three hanging shelves can be used separately or zipped together for a longer column of six shelves, making the StorageWorks 6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer a great option for all types of closets.

Each shelf is 12 x 12 inches and when zipped together, the total length is 42 inches. The flexibility of using these shelves either together or separately makes them incredibly versatile, and it especially comes in handy if you already have existing shelving in your closet and need to have the three-shelf compartments side-by-side.

Dotted Line Grid 48"W-96"W Closet System Starter Kit

View On Wayfair

Dimensions: 72 x 14-inches | Overall Weight: 88 pounds | System Type: Adjustable organization kit | Primary Material: Wood

What We Like

1,200 pound weight capacity
Fits large and small closets
Available in multiple laminate finishes

What We Don't Like

Unfilled mounting holes can detract from finished look

Closet kits provide a comprehensive solution to closet messes with their included shelves, hanging rods, and drawers. The Dotted Line Grid Closet System is a great wall-mounted option that fits in closets between 48 and 96 inches in width. It offers a number of different configurations that can meet the needs of your space for hanging and folded clothes storage and the 1,200-pound weight capacity means this closet kit can hold a large wardrobe.

Available in multiple laminate finishes or a natural woodgrain, this system is easy enough to install if you’re handy. The most common complaint is the look of the small holes meant to accommodate the adjustable shelving system. If having a clean look is important to you, you can fill them in with putty, but they do give you the flexibility to move shelves around as your closet needs change.

Expert Buying Tip

“If you have a very tall space, try putting off-season clothing up high or in a different storage area, and keeping current season clothing in an easy-to-reach spot. Then, as each new season approaches, do a switch. This forces you to revisit what you forgot you had from the last season and allows you to do a healthy purge. It also gives you a regular schedule for dusting and cleaning your closet."—Ellen Karas, Co-Founder of Creative Organization Solutions.

The 10 Best Closet Kits of 2021

View On Amazon

Dimensions: 15.75 x 12 x 8-inches | Overall Weight: 3.21 pounds | System Type: Storage bin boxes | Primary Material: Polyester

What We Like

Clear design for quickly identifying what's stored
Collapsible when not in use
Sturdy wire frames when assembled

What We Don't Like

Boxes are not very large

Storage boxes are a standard closet organizer, but this version stands out for its smart design. Stackable, sturdy, and easy to access, there are a lot of great features in this set of two storage bins from Sorbus. In addition to the large, zippered top opening, there’s a clear, zippered window on the front of the box that gives you a peek at what’s inside and quick, easy access. This means that even when stacked, you can still take items in and out of each box without having to remove any boxes stacked on top.

These storage boxes are a great option for storing shoes, scarves, clothing, towels, and more. The boxes are collapsible when not in use, but the wire frame inside means that they’re sturdy when assembled.

The 6 Best Plastic Storage Bins of 2021

View On Walmart

Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 2.7-inches | Overall Weight: 1.5 pounds | System Type: Vacuum seal bags | Primary Material: Plastic

What We Like

Good for storage places besides the closet
Solution for holding both clothing and linens
Air-tight and waterproof seal

What We Don't Like

Expensive

This set of six vacuum-sealed storage bags makes an essential closet organizer for anyone that needs to make more room for rarely-worn, seasonal items. Instead of filling your shelves with sweaters, sundresses, or heavy blankets, use these compression bags to more efficiently store out-of-season clothing or bulky bedding and reclaim closet space.

Each jumbo-sized vacuum bag can hold four pillows, a queen-size bedding set, or more than a dozen sweaters. The bag is air-tight and waterproof to preserve whatever is packed inside. You'll be impressed by how much space these vacuum-sealed bags save, and the company offers a lifetime replacement if a bag fails.

What Experts Say

"Always use the most easily reachable 'prime real estate' for the items you use most often. That goes with any space in your home. Where do you naturally reach most easily and automatically? Are you right or left-handed? The most often used items need to be in those easiest-to-reach spaces."—Ellen Karas, Founder of Creative Organization Solutions.

View On The Container Store

Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 82-inches | Overall Weight: Not listed | System Type: Over-the-door organizer | Primary Material: Polyester

What We Like

Space saving solution for closets
Can work as a closet hamper
Adjustable bottom straps

What We Don't Like

Hooks make it difficult to close doors

If you’re searching for a closet organizer that fits over the door, the Umbra Enfold is a smart option that maximizes this vertical space with multiple compartments and a removable bin. While many over-the-door options for closet organizers are nothing more than rows of pouches, this version offers real organization with four gusseted pockets and a removable bottom bin that is 25.5 inches deep. The bottom bin, in particular, is a great feature. It's big enough to work as a closet hamper, and is easy to remove on laundry day.

It includes two over-the-door hooks, along with two adjustable bottom straps for a secure hold that prevents the organizer from bouncing around when the closet door is opened or closed.

Seville Classics 3-Tier Stackable 12-Pair Steel Shoe Rack

View On Amazon

Dimensions: 26.5 x 12.2 x 19.25-inches | Overall Weight: 90 pounds | System Type: Free-standing | Primary Material: Metal

What We Like

Displays up to twelve pairs of shoes
Good for small closets
Stackable frames with included linking pegs

What We Don't Like

Not good for tall boots

Finding the right solution for shoe storage can be a challenge, especially if you’re limited on closet space. The Seville Classics 3-Tier Shoe Shelf has transformed coat closets and clothes closets alike with its ability to neatly and easily display up to a dozen pairs of shoes.

This closet organizer gives your shoes and sandals a designated spot and prevents a jumbled mess of shoes on the floor of your closet. Unlike other shoe organizers with thin, parallel bars supporting each shoe, flat mesh wire shelves hold shoes in place. If you have a growing shoe collection, you can easily put two of these shoe racks side-by-side or stack them vertically (using included linking pegs) for more shoe storage.

The 9 Best Shoe Storage Solutions of 2021

Final Verdict

If you have a walk-in or reach-in closet, you can't go wrong with the Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Closet Kit (view at Amazon). The basic set includes shelves and hanging rods, and you can opt to customize the kit further with add-ons like baskets and shoe storage. Those tight on space should check out the Umbra Enfold Over the Door Organizer, which includes four gusseted mesh pockets and a hamper.

When researching picks to include in this roundup, we took into account the useful features and real-world scenarios when recommending the best options on the market. For background, we consulted with organizing expert Ellen Karas, who has over two decades of experience helping people organize and refresh their homes. She's also the co-founder of Creative Organization Solutions, a Chicago-based organizing company.

Erica Puisis writes about cleaning, interior design, and home organization for The Spruce, and is always looking for new storage solutions to better organize her home. For this list, she considered the practicality and design of each type of closet organizer, as well as which type of closet it's best suited for. She consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, along with insight from our product testers.